Stopper.



No. 771,298. PATENTED OCT. 4, 1904. A. DE GLAIRMONT.

STOPPER.

APPLICATION rum) MAR. 17, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

A. de Clair/1:07:25

Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLFO DE OLAIRMONT, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

STOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,298, dated October 4, 1904. Application filed March 17, 1904. Serial No. 198,633. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLFO DE OLAIRMONT, a citizen of the United States, residing at T0- ledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stoppers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved stopper for bottles or analogous receptacles containing strong alcoholic liquors, export beers, sparkling wines, or contents of like nature.

It is well known that liquors and wines of the class above mentioned are often flat, owing to the fact that the bottles carrying same have been in an upright position for a'considerable length of time, thereby permitting the cork closures to become dry. The corks when dry, as above described, allow the gases contained in the wines or liquors to escape, thepores of the cork being open when same is in dry condition.

It is therefore the essential and vital feature of my invention to provide a stopper of cork or similar material having a core of porous absorbent material which when moistened is adapted to likewise keep the cork-body moist and swollen, thereby preventing evaporation and escape of the gases from the liquid contained in the receptacle.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which igure 1 is a perspective view of a stopper embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the preferred form of the stopper, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified construction of the stopper. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the moistener used in connection with the construction of stopper illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a stopper embodying a modified .form of moistening device or means. Fig. 6 is adetail perspective view of the form of the core used in the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, my invention comprises a stopper 1, which in general form is substantially the same as the ordinary cork which is now commonly used for closing bottles and the like. The stopper is made of cork or analogous material, though the invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the former, being devised specially in view of the inherentproperties of cork material. The form of the stopper illustrated in the first two figures of the drawings shows a cork having a side portion thereof at a point between its ends cut away transversely to afford a recess or similar cavity 2. The cut-away portion 2 receives the moistening device, which consists, preferably, of a plug or layer-3 of porous absorbent n1aterialsuch as cotton-waste, dry sponge, cotton strips, felt, or material of this class. The part 3is inserted into the cavity 2 and is either held in this position by the frictional pressure of the adjacent body portion 1 of the stopper or it may be suitably secured in place. The part-3 is further disposed between the ends of the cork for particularly advantageous reasons. Because of the central disposition thereof this plug or layer when moistened will keep the body of the cork in like condition for an almostindefinite period of time. Again, the cork is swollen at both ends, so that the stopper is divided into 'two closure portions which will very effectually prevent passing off of any gaseous vapors from the contents of the cork-receptacle, thereby preserving such contents in pure wholesome condition. The plug or layer 3 constitutes a core-moistening device.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the prin-f ciples of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are carried out, the stopper, however,

being provided with a transverse opening This opening rewhich plug is of through the body thereof. ceives the core or plug 3,

cylindrical form and firmly retained in its position by the glass walls of the neck of the bottle. The plug as disposed in Fig. 3 may consist of a strip of rolled cotton absorbent material, if desirable, and it will be understood that the construction of this part may be modified and various porous or absorbent materials substituted therefor. The part 3, because of its porous or absorbent constituencies, when disposed on a stopper, when the latter has been placed in water for a few minutes is adapted to absorb moisture from the liquid and swell the core, so that when it is forced into the neck of the bottle the sides of the glass prevent the evaporation of the core or its drying, thereby keeping the cork swollen and moist, preventing the evaporation of the contents, so that likelihood of its becoming dry, whereby the purpose of the invention might be defeated, is obviated. For instance, the core as shown in Fig. 5 absorbs moisture by capillary attraction and may be thus kept saturated, so as to prevent the cork stopper from becoming dry. As is commonly known, the cork material of the stopper 1 will readily absorb moisture from the core.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A stopper provided with moistened material inserted into the body thereof.

2. A stopper provided with moistened material inserted into the body thereof at a point between the outer and inner ends of same.

3. A cork provided with a moistening de vice extending transversely through the body thereof at a point between the ends of said cor r.

4.. A cork cut away transversely, and a moistening device disposed in the transverselycut-away portion.

5. A. cork cut away transversely, and a moistener comprising a core of absorbent or porous material inserted into the cut-away portion thereof.

6. A cork cut away transversely at a point between the ends thereof, and moistening means comprising a core or layer of porous absorbent material disposed in the transversely-cut-away portion of the said cork.

7. A cork provided with a transverse opening therethrough, and a plug or core of porous absorbent material in moistened condition, disposed in said opening.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 

